I love TOS and I was planing to read this over my winter break (and watch TOS movies and TV). And I just want to know if it's worth my time?
McCoy in command of the Enterprise, facing down the Klingons. What's not to love? Seriously, Diane Duane writes absolutely an FANTASTIC McCoy. You will not be disappointed.
I really like this book McCoy in command of Enterprise Spock and the Crew hep him look for Kirk. Facing down the Klingons. He certainly defies the stuffy Starfleet admiral in this book.
It was a little more sedate than I like, and possibly my least favourite Dune Trek (except for the ending of "The Wounded Sky"), but I'd say it's definitely worth reading.
The various alien species on Flyspeck are actually recycled from the text adventure computer game, "The Kobayashi Alternative", for which Duane did the world building and writing.
If you overlook the absurdity of Kirk (1) putting someone totally unqualified in command just to prove a point/get back at him (2) that Kirk even has the authority to put a specialist/non command-line officer in temporary command then yes, it's a pretty good book.
It's been twenty years since I read it, so my memory is fuzzy, but I do remember that I enjoyed it. Plus, it's Star Trek. That alone makes it worth a look. I say read it and judge for yourself.
No one invents truly ALIEN aliens like Diane Duane. It's a fun book, and that coming from a lukewarm fan of TOS on a good day.
Yes, No one has ever written McCoy quite as well as Diane Duane does. You can hear DeForrest Kellys voice as you read this book. It's a fun story with some really unique aliens.
Actually, I believe since he was a Lieutenant Commander, and was a member of the command staff he would have been qualified. We saw Crusher in command in an episode of TNG, so obviously CMOs must have some command qualifications.
starship Doctor's also give doctor the authority to have captin's removed from command. all so this fantastic read and it's set within the original five year mission time line.
I never had a problem with Kirk putting McCoy in command, I have a problem with McCoy not being able to step down for Spock or even Scotty. It would have been far easier to swallow if Spock and Scotty were also out of contact, and there was no other senior officers that could relieve McCoy. That really would have been a test of character. But it's otherwise a fun story, McCoy trolls the hell out of the Klingons which is always good for a laugh.
Oh, I haven't read the book yet, so I didn't realize that Spock and Scotty were still around. I guess since Kirk put him in command on purpose, they must have decided to leave him in command.
No, that would've been pretty irresponsible in a crisis situation. The premise of the book was that they couldn't relieve him, that only Kirk had the authority to do that because it had been his order that had put McCoy in charge to begin with.